Gia Giudice, the 24-year-old star of Real Housewives of New Jersey (RHONJ) and breakout personality on Next Gen NYC, is setting the record straight. In a candid appearance on Watch What Happens Live (WWHL) on July 29, 2025, Gia spilled the tea on her relationships with co-stars Riley Burruss and Charlie Zakkour, addressed her “harsh” portrayal on Next Gen NYC, and threw subtle shade at her aunt, Melissa Gorga, while fiercely defending her mom, Teresa Giudice. From her upcoming move with boyfriend Christian Carmichael to her thoughts on Lexi Ioannou’s podcast appearance, Gia held nothing back. Here’s everything you need to know about her explosive revelations.
Gia confirmed that she and Riley Burruss are on solid ground after the dramatic debut season of Next Gen NYC. “We’re in good standing. I was with her on Tuesday for the season finale at Ariana Biermann’s. We’re good,” Gia shared, putting rumors of a rift to rest. Their friendship, tested by the pressures of reality TV, has emerged stronger, proving that these two are ready to move forward together.
While things are rosy with Riley, Gia’s relationship with Charlie Zakkour, 29, is less cozy. She revealed on WWHL that Charlie “left the group chat,” signaling a distance between them. However, Gia did reach out to him recently about a potential Atlantic City weekend trip on July 12. “I asked if he was still interested, and he said he’d let me know, but then followed up saying he wasn’t coming,” she explained. The lack of communication suggests their bond may need more time to heal post-season.
Gia didn’t shy away from addressing her portrayal on Next Gen NYC, admitting she wasn’t thrilled with how she came across. “I think on Housewives, being under my mom’s shadow, it was always about protecting our family and our peace,” she said. Growing up amid her family’s legal battles, Gia developed a protective “mom mode” that carried over to Next Gen NYC. This led to moments where she appeared “harsh” and “aggressive,” often getting “annoyed at things.”
“That’s not who I am,” Gia insisted. “I’m ready to grow and take this experience day by day. Being in our 20s is about growing, and I want to transition better into being a friend, not always the mom.” Her self-awareness and commitment to personal growth have fans rooting for her evolution in future seasons.
In a moment that raised eyebrows, Gia was asked to rank RHONJ cast members from most to least iconic. Her response? A subtle dig at her aunt, Melissa Gorga. “Most? I wanna say Dolores Catania, then Jennifer Aydin… She’s had some really funny moments, Dina, Melissa,” Gia said, placing Melissa last. The ranking didn’t go unnoticed, especially given the ongoing family tensions. Gia’s loyalty to her mom, Teresa, was evident as she defended Teresa’s decision to hang up on an interviewer probing about tax issues, stating, “It’s none of their business.” She also backed Teresa’s past diss at Melissa’s sprinkle cookies but drew the line at defending Teresa’s encouragement of Danielle Staub pulling Margaret Josephs’ hair.
On the personal front, Gia shared exciting updates about her life with boyfriend Christian Carmichael. While she’s still living at home with Teresa, a move is on the horizon. “The move is coming very soon,” she teased. “Christian is in Bergen County, and my work life is in the city so much, while his is in Jersey.” Balancing their careers and relationship, Gia is ready for the next chapter with her beau.
When asked about having Lexi Ioannou on her podcast amid rumors of a feud between Teresa and Dina Manzo, Gia kept it classy. “We picked up where we left off. Lexi is a beautiful soul, and I’m so happy she got to speak her truth,” she said, sidestepping any mention of the alleged rift. Her focus on positivity and supporting Lexi showcased her maturity in navigating tricky family dynamics.
As the WWHL episode wrapped, Gia shared her rose and thorn from the inaugural season of Next Gen NYC. Her thorn? Wishing she’d stepped back to let her castmates shine. “Riley was right about Georgia’s club not being the best idea,” she admitted. “I’m learning to balance my mom personality with being a great friend.” Her rose? The unbreakable bonds she’s formed. “I’m really happy with the relationships and friendships I’ve built,” she gushed, grateful for the lessons and support from her castmates.
On the WWHL: After Show, Gia dove into the messy feud between Charlie Zakkour and Georgia McCann over a borrowed speaker that Georgia didn’t promptly return. “I didn’t know how intense Charlie went at Georgia during that argument,” Gia revealed. “My castmates didn’t fill me in before we got to A.C., so I told Riley and Georgia to shut the F up. I take that back now, knowing what Charlie said.” She questioned why Georgia held onto the speaker for so long but agreed with co-star Emira that the argument was “trivial.” When Brooks asked if Charlie’s reaction warranted speaking to Georgia that way, Gia was firm: “Absolutely not.”
Gia Giudice is proving she’s more than just Teresa’s daughter. With her candid reflections, willingness to grow, and unapologetic loyalty to her family, she’s carving out her own lane in the reality TV world. As she navigates friendships, love, and the spotlight, fans are eager to see what’s next for this Next Gen NYC star. One thing’s for sure: Gia’s truth bombs and shade-throwing moments have us hooked!